European Court of Human Rights Rules in Favor of Turkish Minority Association in Xanthi
Ankara, Turkey – June 28, 2025 – The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye has issued a statement acknowledging and responding to a recent judgment by the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) concerning the Cultural Association of Turkish Women of the Prefecture of Xanthi (Sağır and Others v. Greece). The Court’s decision, released on June 28, 2025, addresses violations related to the association’s right to freedom of association.
The statement, delivered by Spokesperson Öncü Keçeli, highlights the ECtHR’s finding of a violation of Article 11 (freedom of assembly and association) of the European Convention on Human Rights. This ruling specifically addresses the Greek authorities’ refusal to recognize the “Western Thrace Turkish Minority Cultural Association” and the subsequent administrative dissolution of the “Cultural Association of Turkish Women of the Prefecture of Xanthi.”
Türkiye has consistently advocated for the protection of the rights of its kinsmen in Western Thrace, emphasizing the importance of their cultural identity and freedom of association. The Ministry’s spokesperson expressed that the ECtHR’s judgment serves as an important affirmation of these fundamental rights.
The case brought before the European Court concerned the repeated attempts by Turkish minority associations in the Xanthi region of Greece to formally register and operate under names that clearly reflect their Turkish identity. Greek courts had previously ruled against these associations, citing a prohibition on the use of the term “Turkish” in association names, based on the 1923 Treaty of Lausanne.
The ECtHR’s decision in Sağır and Others v. Greece underscores the principle that minority groups have the right to identify themselves and to associate freely under names that reflect this identity, provided such use does not violate the law in a discriminatory manner or pose a threat to public order. The Court found that the Greek authorities’ actions went beyond what was necessary to protect public order and that the dissolution of the association was a disproportionate measure.
Spokesperson Keçeli stated that Türkiye expects Greece to fully implement the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights. This includes taking the necessary steps to ensure that the rights of the Turkish minority to freedom of association and to use names that reflect their identity are respected and protected in practice.
The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated its commitment to closely monitoring the situation and continuing its efforts to safeguard the rights and cultural heritage of the Turkish minority in Western Thrace, in line with both international human rights standards and Türkiye’s long-standing commitment to its diaspora communities. This ruling is seen as a significant step towards ensuring that minority rights are upheld within the framework of European legal standards.
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REPUBLIC OF TÜRKİYE published ‘QA-12, 28 June 2025, Statement of the Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Öncü Keçeli, in Response to a Question Regarding the Judgment of the European Court of Human Rights in the Case of the Cultural Association of Turkish Women of the Prefecture of Xanthi (Sağır and Others v. Greece)’ at 2025-06-28 13:43. Please write a detailed article about this news in a polite tone with relevant information. Please reply in English with the article only.